Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a profession playoff-high 40 factors to place Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder 3-1 up towards Minnesota Timberwolves within the sequence.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 factors, grabbed 9 rebounds and dished 10 assists because the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder escaped with a 128-126 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Recreation 4 of the Western Convention finals in Minneapolis.
Jalen Williams added 34 factors on 13-for-24 taking pictures for Oklahoma Metropolis, which seized a 3-1 lead within the best-of-seven sequence. Chet Holmgren completed with 21 factors on 9-for-14 taking pictures.
Gilgeous-Alexander sank 5 of 6 free throw makes an attempt within the remaining 15 seconds to seal the victory on Monday night time.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 23 factors off the bench to steer Minnesota. Jaden McDaniels contributed 22 factors, and Donte DiVincenzo completed with 21 factors off the bench.
The sequence will shift again to Oklahoma Metropolis for Recreation 5 on Wednesday night time the place the Thunder can have the chance to shut out the sequence and progress to the NBA Finals.
Each groups battled within the remaining minutes because the Thunder staved off the Timberwolves’ comeback try.
Gilgeous-Alexander displayed his athleticism as he discovered Williams for a 3-pointer from the left wing to make it 116-109 with 3:34 remaining. The 1.98 metre (6ft 6in) guard was falling down on the play, and he slipped a move between McDaniels’ legs to the open Williams.
The lead went again to seven when Williams hit one other 3-pointer to place the Thunder on prime 123-116 with 1:21 to go.
The Timberwolves clawed again due to McDaniels, who made a driving layup with 1:10 left and adopted up with a 3-pointer with 23.1 seconds remaining. The latter hoop sliced the Thunder’s result in 123-121.
Each groups exchanged free throws within the remaining seconds.
The Thunder led 128-125 when Anthony Edwards stepped to the free throw line with 3.5 seconds left. Edwards made the primary try and missed the second try on objective, however Gilgeous-Alexander chased down the rebound and fired an extended move out of bounds to cease the clock with 0.3 seconds to go.
Williams intercepted Julius Randle’s inbounds move as time expired.
Oklahoma Metropolis led 90-85 on the finish of the third quarter.
The Timberwolves went on an 8-0 run to chop their deficit to 77-76 with 5 minutes remaining within the third. DiVincenzo buried a 3-pointer from the left nook to punctuate the run.
The Thunder responded on the subsequent possession when Gilgeous-Alexander knocked down a bounce shot to present his crew a 79-76 lead with 4:41 left within the quarter.
Minnesota trailed 65-57 on the half. Edwards had solely 4 factors earlier than the break, and he completed the sport with 16 factors on 5-for-13 taking pictures. He made solely 1-of-7 makes an attempt from 3-point vary.
